GETAC Webcast

Trauma Resources

Guide to Trauma Center Designation for Hospital Executives

In 2012, the Trauma Division developed a guide to help hospital executives understand why trauma center designation is important, how it is achieved and maintained and what their role is in the process. Copies of the guide are now provided free of charge and are available for download online.

Trauma Activation Guidelines

The Trauma Division has developed a publication regarding trauma team activations. The publication provides information regarding criteria for trauma team activation and development of hospital policies. Available at no charge as a benefit of TETAF membership, the publication includes a list of online resources as well as sample policies from several Texas hospitals. The publication is now available for download.

Burn Clinical Practice Guideline

TETAF has published the Burn Clinical Practice Guideline to provide clinical guidance to hospitals in Texas regarding the treatment of burn patients. The information will help hospitals develop clinical policies and protocols for assessing, classifying and treating patients with burn injuries. While patients with severe burns usually are transferred to burn centers, all hospitals should be prepared to assess and provide initial treatment to any burn patient who may present. The Burn Clinical Practice Guideline may be downloaded and printed for use within individual hospitals.

Trauma Lecture Files

TETAF provides complimentary access to The Electronic Library of Trauma Lectures® by the Society of Trauma Nurses. Each presentation contains learning objectives, a detailed lecture format with built-in instructor notes and discussion questions. Additionally, there are posttest questions and answers for each presentation that may be used for self-assessment purposes.

Pediatric Resources

Pediatric Transfer Toolkit Available

TETAF has been authorized to share the Inter Facility Transfer Toolkit for the Pediatric Patient toolkit. The nationally developed downloadable resource is based on hospital best practices and current literature. Some 10,000+ plus children are transferred annually to access higher levels of care and specialty services. Such moves are stressful for the patient and his/her family as well as for caregivers and facilities. The Inter Facility Transfer Toolkit for the Pediatric Patient toolkit provides resources to support the establishment of agreements or memorandums of understanding to facilitate transfer of children to specialty resources when need.

Organized in 10 sections, the toolkit will aid in the development of pediatric transfer guidelines to assist staff to accomplish a safe and timely transfer. Content is based on the best practices at hospitals across the U.S. and the current literature.

The downloadable toolkit was developed by the Emergency Nurse Association Pediatrics Committee, the Pediatric Special Interest Group of the Society of Trauma Nurses and EMS for Children National Resource Center.

Geriatric Resources

The incidence of geriatric trauma admissions is increasing. Texas trauma care providers should be aware of the differences in the triage and management of this patient population. Health care providers with additional knowledge and training in the principles of geriatric medicine will ensure this population receives optimal patient-centered care. The links below provide research, nationally accepted guidelines, protocols, tool development and best practices.

“Cognitive Screening Tools,” an article in the January 2013 issue of Clinician Reviews provides helpful information regarding the early recognition of cognitive changes and possible underlying dementia.

The Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma updates its “2001 Geriatric Trauma Practice Management Guideline” based on more current research with the goal of providing more specific guidance regarding triage issues, correction of medication-induced bleeding risk and end-points for resuscitation.